How to Choose the Right Golf School Program for Your Skill Level

Golf schools offer a variety of packages for all skill levels. Some emphasize the fundamentals and provide plenty of time to practice driving, putting and chipping.

Unfortunately, many golfers attend a lower-cost golf school and see little to no improvement when they return home because the Instructors do not plan to find the “causes” of their bad swing habits.

Beginner

Golf is a complex game, and attempting to learn without qualified instruction can be a frustrating experience that will lead to bad habits that are difficult to unlearn. To ensure they can handle information, beginners should enroll in golf schools offering group clinics.  You can visit https://www.birdgolf.com/locations/florida-golf-schools/ to get more ideas on how to register. The student-to-instructor ratio is another important factor for beginners to consider. Too many Golf Schools will place experienced golfers with newcomers, which can be counterproductive to developing a strong fundamental base.

Additionally, most golf schools will only teach the golfers in their programs the “effects” of their golf swing, not the root “causes.” This can cause the golfer to take these tips home and instantly start hitting the ball worse because they are doing something wrong that they have always done. This is why asking about the golf school’s teaching philosophy is so important.

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Intermediate

As an intermediate golfer, you have progressed beyond beginner status and understand the basics well. It would help if you still put in much effort to surpass 100. Some schools offer destination golf school programs where students can practice in warm weather and learn the tricks of the trade from pros.

Many of these Schools use instructors part-time, and they need to be trained to look for the root cause of your swing problems. They tell you what your grip should look like and what your backswing should look like. Many Golfers who attend these types of Schools need more improvement during their stay and often see their swing worsen when they go home.

Advanced

At this level, the goal is to build a fundamentally sound golf swing motion that connects a starting position to a finishing position in a balanced and controlled way. Teaching philosophies vary, with some schools stressing the importance of the “6 inches between your ears” and others spending more time on the basics.

Better golf instructors will look for the root cause of bad habits rather than just covering up symptoms. They’ll also focus on proper practice methods to ensure the new golf skills are ingrained.

It’s important that the golf school you choose can help you maintain your progress and prevent regression when you go home. Ask about their follow-up process and whether you can contact the golf instructor if you hit a wall or revert to old, bad habits. Even the best PGA tour players hit a bump in the road, so open communication is essential.

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Senior

Whether you’re an experienced golfer or a newcomer, golf schools provide expert instruction in everything from fundamentals to short-game skills. They also help develop character as golfers learn values like honesty and responsibility. 

When choosing a golf school, ask about their Instructor’s experience and education. More than 50% of Golf Schools use part-time, subcontracting Instructors. These instructors work for the golf school in between running tournaments, working at the cash register, merchandising, etc. The less talented Instructors are trained to only look at the effects of the bad swing – rather than finding and fixing the root “causes.” Thus, golfers attending these lower priced Golf Schools often see no improvement during their school – and usually even worse when they go home. That’s because the bad swing habits were not corrected.